The train ride was quite boring, since the two SeeD members wouldn't talk to each other. Both had been filled with thoughts the whole day. As they neared the station, Quistis looked out the window. She didn't bother looking at Squall ever again. It would only make her uncomfortable. She didn't see that Squall's face had softened when he watched her.
"You have arrived at Esthar," a voice cried out. Squall and Quistis stood up, moving outside, careful not to look at each other.
They headed towards the main office, and met Laguna, who was smiling at them. "Quistis! Squall! I'm glad the two of you are for this mission! Ellone had been worried that the Headmaster would send someone like Rinoa."
Quistis smiled slightly, flattered that she was favored more than the sorceress. Squall looked around. "Where's Sis?"
"I'm right here, Squall," Ellone said cheerfully, coming out from a room behind Laguna's office. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you two again! So, how long has it been? Squall, are you still dating the sorceress?"
Squall looked away, "I don't want to talk about it."
Ellone looked inquisitively at Squall then at Quistis and let out a knowing smile. "Ah…so you finally found sense. Good. I was wondering when you would move on."
"What are you talking about?" Quistis asked.
"…Whatever."
Laguna laughed. "Ellone, enough. They aren't here to get embarrassed. Come, I will show you your next mission. Somehow, there is still one red dragon left. It's been infesting the southern part of Esthar, and all of my soldiers are out fighting in another area. I couldn't spare anymore people, and so I had no choice but to call on the SeeD for help. What do you say? Can you handle a red dragon?"
"Of course we can," Quistis said, "We beat Omega Weapon, didn't we? We can handle a red dragon."
The President nodded. "Good. Ellone will bring you there. You will get your reward after the mission is completed. Go on. The sooner, the better."
Ellone beckoned them and they walked towards the transporting device. Squall and Quistis hardly talked and this made Ellone suspicious. Finally before the device stopped moving, Ellone threw up her hands in frustration. "All right, what's wrong with you two? There seems to be a problem. Okay, spill it, please."
"It's nothing," Quistis and Squall said at the same time, making the both of them blush and turn away from each other.
Squall's Sis chuckled. "Oh, now I get it. Okay, so who told who that he/she loves him/her?"
The two SeeD remained silent. The transporter stopped and Squall was glad to get out. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he broke down then and there. Quistis was left with Ellone, who was staring at her as if she knew everything. Ellone patted Quistis' hand. "Hey, don't worry, Quisty, you'll get him, I' sure of it. Just give him some time."
Quistis nodded and followed Squall, quickly taking her Save the Queen out. The dragon was larger than any of the original red dragons they faced before, but it didn't look too dangerous. Squall summoned Leviathan while Quistis decided to summon Shiva. Before long, the dragon was dead. The two SeeDs looked at each other. Squall shrugged. "Piece of cake, isn't it?"
"Yeah," the blonde replied, looking away immediately. "Let's go."